Emergency Preparedness & Response

Lockdown

Used in response to an armed or dangerous assailant WITHIN the school

♦ Gather people in your vicinity into a secure room – do this quickly♦ Close and secure doors♦ Turn off lights, be quiet, get down low/behind heavy furniture, get out of sight♦ Silence all cell phones and ask that they be placed face down on floor♦ Alert other occupants by any means available and/or call 911 – only if safe to do so OR Leave Safe. If no secure area is available and a safe exit is, then quickly leave the area/school. Report to the designated assembly area and await instructions.

*Normal activities in the school cease. Await police response.

Hold & Secure

Used if there is a security concern in the neighbourhood

♦ Bring everyone into the school and remain inside♦ Secure exterior doors and windows♦ Close exterior window blinds/drapes (if available)♦ No one may enter or exit the school during Hold & Secure

*Typically normal activities continue WITHIN the school.

Evacuate

Used to move people out of the school when a hazard exists inside

♦ Direct students and other staff to exit the school via the shortest safe route♦ Report to and assemble outside at the designated assembly site

*Principal or designate will determine next steps.

Shelter In Place

Used if an environmental hazard may impact the school

♦ Bring everyone into the school and remain indoors♦ Secure exterior doors and windows♦ Close exterior window blinds/drapes (if available)♦ Turn off all ventilation systems (if locally available/situation dependent)♦ Staff designates will monitor access to the school via the main entrance♦ Access may be denied if a risk exists that jeopardizes the safety of occupants

*Typically normal activities continue WITHIN the school.

Room Clear

Used to move people away from a hazard contained in one room/area

♦ Direct students to leave the room/area and report to designated area (Ex. Library)♦ Summon assistance as needed and appropriate (Ex. call First Aid Attendant, Principal/Vice Principal, 911)

*Staff should remain to manage the situation or exit if the room is unsafe.

Drop, Cover & Hold On

Used in the event of an earthquake, explosion, or any event that shakes the school

♦ Quickly move away from obvious hazards♦DROP – low to the ground♦ Cover – take Cover under a sturdy table, desks, furniture, or other large sturdy items♦HOLD ON – to the furniture you are under and stay there until the shaking stops
After the shaking stops, wait 60 seconds and then EVACUATE via the shortest safe route. Report to and assemble outside at the designated assembly site.

*Principal or other designate will determine next steps.

Emergency Terminology Quick Reference

School Drills

FIRE6 drills per year
3 per semester – fall and spring

Note: actual alarms and false alarms count as drills

EARTHQUAKE2 drills per year
October– Great BC Shakeout

LOCKDOWN3 drills per year

HOLD & SECURE + SHELTER IN PLACE1 review of procedures per year with all